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Range (Eastern United States breeds) (XII)

- Eastern United States; breeds as far north as southern Minnesota and Massachusetts; and winters in Central America.

Washington, common S. R., Apl. 29 to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 28 to Aug. 29. Cambridge, rather rare S. R., May 15 to (?).

Nest, rather bulky, of coarse grasses, leaves, and strips of bark well interwoven, lined with finer grasses, in a crotch near the ground. Eggs, three to five, white, rather evenly speckled and spotted with rufous-brown, 90 x 66.

Bushy undergrowths or thickets in partial clearings form the home of the Chat. After an acquaintance of many years I frankly confess that his true character is a mystery to me. While listening to his strange medley and watching his peculiar actions, we are certainly justified in calling him eccentric, but that there is method in his madness no one who studies him closely can doubt. Is the odd jumble of whistles, chucks, and caws uttered by one bird in that copse yonder, or by half a dozen different birds in as many places? Approach cautiously, and perhaps you may see him in the air-a bunch of feathers twitched downward by the queer, jerky notes which animate it. One might suppose so peculiar a performance would occupy his entire attention, but nevertheless he has seen you; in an instant his manner changes, and the happy-go-lucky clown, who a moment before was turning aërial somersaults, has become a shy, suspicious haunter of the depths of the thicket, whence will come his querulous chut, chut as long as your presence annoys him. 684. Sylvania mitrata (Gmel.). HOODED WARBLER. (Fig. 108.) Ad. 8.-Forehead and cheeks bright yellow; crown black, connected behind with the black throat; upper parts, wings, and tail olive-green; outer tailfeathers with inner vane mostly white; breast and belly yellow; bill with evident bristles at its base. Ad. q. - Similar, but with the black on head and breast somewhat restricted and less sharply defined. Im. 8. -Similar to ad. 8, but the black feathers with yellow tips. Im. 2.-Similar to ad. ?, but WOOD WARBLERS. with no black on the head or breast. L., 5·67; W., 2.58; T., 2·30; B. from N., 31.